Adoption Respite Community Support Worker (DuPage)

If asked to describe the culture at Metropolitan Family Services, we could do that in one word. COMMUNITY! Reflected in both our internal culture as well as through the services we provide, community is at the heart of all we do. 

Metropolitan Family Services (MFS) empowers families to learn, to earn, to heal, to thrive. Part mentor, part motivator, part advocate, since 1857, Metropolitan Family Services has been the engine of change that empowers families to reach their great potential and positively impact their communities. Are you looking to have an impact on more than just a company’s bottom line? Then we’d love to hear from you!

We are currently seeking an hourly Community Support Worker to join our DuPage office.

Locations: 

• DuPage:
  • Serving Lake County
  • Serving Kankakee County

The Community Support Worker will work an average of 3 to 9 hours weekly, during evening and/or weekends based on the worker’s availability and client needs, with occasional opportunities for additional hours during group activities with clients. 

• Develops a written client service plan specifying goals to be achieved and services to be pursued.
• Supplements service plans to meet client needs.
• Provides, as appropriate, supportive help, advocacy and case management to individuals and families in coping with environment and interpersonal relationship issues.
• Works collaboratively with community resources. Develops a knowledge of resources and helps clients to utilize them.
• Works within contract, grant, and program requirements including meeting timelines and reporting requirements.
• Engages client in settings that may present a challenge for the client for the purpose of learning/practicing/developing healthy behaviors and coping skills.
• Reassesses and monitors client situation and adequacy of service plan.
• Collaborates and participates with other program staff in the planning and implementation of service plans.
• Subsequent to consultation with supervisor, handles emergency and crisis situations within target population.
• With supervisory approval, authorizes limited amounts of financial assistance to own clients.
• May work with community groups.
• Works effectively with diverse staff and service population.
• Provides a range of supportive in home and community services to agency clients.
• Develops/identifies therapeutic interventions to utilize with client for purpose of improving/maintaining client functioning.
• Teaches clients around activities of daily living.
• Provides support and feedback to parents/caregivers.
• Participates with treatment staff in assessment of client functioning, reporting observations on a regular basis and using judgement in monitoring functioning.
• Attends regularly scheduled supervision meetings and required trainings.
• Develops a knowledge of community resources and helps client utilize them.
• Provides timely documentation of client services.
• Maintains a monthly budget for client services and provides receipts in timely manner.
• Transports clients to activities in the community during respite sessions.
• Knowledge and practical skills for working with children and adolescents with emotional or behavioral challenges.
• Other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES:

• Strong interpersonal and time management skills.
• Some direct service experience preferred.
• Ability to maintain assigned community and home-based services.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse individuals and groups.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• 1+ years' experience of working with children in a social service or healthcare setting preferred.

• Bachelor's degree in psychology, Social Work, or related field from an accredited college or university required.
• Must be available to work a maximum 3 to 9 hours weekly, during evening and/or weekends based on the worker’s availability and client needs, with occasional opportunities for additional hours during group activities with clients required.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Satisfactorily pass all relevant screening and criminal background checks.

TRANSPORTATION/TRAVEL REQUIRMENTS:

• Driving for work required with transportation of clients preferred in a personally owned vehicle. Travel between sites not required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• While performing the essential duties of this job, the employee is required to sit and stand for sustained periods of time, frequently talk, hear, use hands and fingers to feel, handle, and operate objects or controls, and occasionally stand, bend, stretch, stoop, kneel and crouch. The employee is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as preparing and analyzing data and figures, transcribing, and viewing a computer terminal.

Metropolitan Family Services puts our people first with a top-of-the-line benefits package. Find out more by clicking here!

Some highlights include:

• Blue Cross and Blue Shield Medical Coverage, Guardian Dental Coverage, and VSP Vision Coverage.
• Metropolitan Family Services contributions of $2,000 to individual, and $4,000 to family, HSA accounts, pro-rated to your benefits start date.
• FREE General Medicine and Behavioral Health Teladoc services provided to all team members.
• Ascensus 401K plan services with a 4% employer match, vested at 100% on day one of eligibility.

And so much more! Make sure you click here to see the full suite of benefits offered!

• Some of the above benefits are available for part-time and temporary workers, but not all. Be sure to inquire upon your hire as to which benefits apply to you.

MORE ABOUT US:

Metropolitan is Illinois' first comprehensive human services agency and reaches more than 122,970 individuals and families in Chicago, Evanston/Skokie, the southwest suburbs, and DuPage County with services promoting education, economic stability, emotional wellness, and empowerment.